Constructing design representations using a sortal approach

Supporting the early phases of design requires, among others, support for the specification and use of multiple and evolving representations, and for the exchange of information between these representations. We consider a complex adaptive system as a model for the development of design representations, and present a semi‐constructive algebraic formalism for design representations, termed sorts, as a candidate for supporting this approach. We analyze sorts with respect to the requirements of a complex adaptive system and compare it to other representational formalisms that consider a constructive approach to representations. We demonstrate the advantages of sorts in various examples, illustrate its use to support the specification of design queries and the recognition of emergent information, and consider sorts in relationship to integrated product models.